SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (CBS) — There’s been an outpouring of grief over the hit-and-run death of an 18-year-old student at Schaumburg High School.

The school flag was lowered Monday to half-staff, and students wore purple in honor of Mikias Tibebu. It was a very difficult day there.

“We’re just really struggling here with this loss,” Principal Tim Little tells CBS 2’s Jim Williams.

How do you understand the sudden loss of an 18-year-old, who was — by all accounts — outstanding in every way?

Scott Lilley was his cross-country coach.

Mikias was “such a gifted athlete, a gifted scholar,” he said, “and to suddenly not have his presence here anymore, their heart aches,” he says.

Mikias was killed, apparently by a hit-and-run driver, last Friday night at Schaumburg Road and Branchwood Drive. Police are seeking any tips.

Monday, at the school, students from different circles wrote condolences for the student’s family.

One read: “Mikias was an amazing kid who touched everyone in different way. He put so much effort into his school work and so much effort into making others happy. Be proud of him. He will be someone that will have a place in our hearts for a long, long time.”

Mikias was both an Illinois State Scholar and he won a National Achievement Award.  He was set to receive a scholarship at Pomona College in California.

Police have no suspects in the case.